“I’m pleased I’m only two shots back” – Tiger Woods

The promised Tiger Woods ‘Moving Day’ charge never quite materialised but he remains lurking ominously at Muirfield after battling to a one over 72 that left him -1 for the Open and just two behind leader Lee Westwood.

Woods was in the zone he used to occupy before the round; focused and oblivious to the attention he was under, although he thanked everybody who wished him well en route to the first tee, where the cheers that greeted his arrival were cacophonous.

He is still box office and always will be. An early birdie at the second hole moved Woods to the top of leaderboard but he was never quite able to maintain that standard – even though he hit a litany of great links shots and played very solidly.

A nasty bogey six at 17 was made worse by the fact playing partner Westy birdied to forge further ahead; nevertheless, Woods knows he still has the leader within his sights and looking over his shoulder, even though he won’t be in the final group to apply that pressure.

And the triple Open champ pledged to chase down his friend Westy. He said: “Am I in a better position than Lee? I don’t know. I’ve got 14 of these things and I know what it takes to win it. He’s won all over the world and knows how to win golf tournaments. He played really solid today. We both did. He’s two shots ahead and we’re just going to go out there and both compete and play.

“But it’s not just us two. There’s a bunch of guys who have the chance to win this tournament – and all of us need to really play well to win it.”

Even so, Woods is buoyant about his form. “I felt like I played well, I really did. I just had a couple of opportunities to make a couple of putts and didn’t do it. I caught a couple of weird bounces, which is normal, but all in all it was a solid day.

“I am really looking forward to it and the challenge of trying to win this Open. Whatever happens at the end of the day, happens.”

Woods will be paired with Masters champ Adam Scott in the final round – and the Aussie is also keenly placed at even par for the championship to become the first Masters-Open double winner since Woods in 2005.

Meanwhile, what of the final pairing? Swede Henrik Stenson, who was -2, is now +1 for the Open after a 74, while overnight leader Miguel Angel Jimenez struggled from -3 to shoot 77 and finish +3. “Not the day I was looking for, but I hung in there,” was the Spaniard’s verdict.

And Ian Poulter had an attack of the shanks over his closing holes in his 75, which leaves him +5 and eight behind Westy. “It leaves me a little work to do but my game is in shape and if I roll in a few putts tomorrow, I can run back up the board,” he said, although clearly disappointed his Saturday hadn’t been better.

Angel Cabrera, Zach Johnson and Ryan Moore are all on one over par with Stenson, while Phil Mickelson and Francesco Molinari are two over. All are still in with a great shout.

Even so, expect Woods to have a major say in deciding this major. After five years without one, Tiger is burning brightly in quest to add no 15 to his tally. Can Westy hold him, Hunter Mahan and Adam Scott et al at bay? All will be revealed on another classic Open Sunday.